The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) has announced a series of enforcement actions against individuals and businesses found guilty—or currently facing charges—for operating as travel agents without registration, in violation of Ontario’s Travel Industry Act, 2002.
Gurpreet Kaur Convicted
Gurpreet Kaur pleaded guilty to one count of operating as a travel agent without being registered. She was fined $6,250, inclusive of a victim surcharge.
Travelgirl Inc. and Director Tarcia Brown Sentenced
Travelgirl Inc. was convicted of one count of operating as a travel agent without registration. Its director, Tarcia Brown, was also convicted of one count of the same offence and one count of failing as an Officer and Director to take reasonable care to prevent the corporation from committing an offence.
Brown was fined $15,625, including a victim surcharge, and both she and Travelgirl Inc. were placed on two years' probation.
In April 2020, Brown signed an undertaking with TICO agreeing not to present herself as a travel agent or provide travel-related counselling or sales services. In a separate matter, she pleaded guilty in October 2024 to criminal fraud charges connected to travel sales; sentencing in that case is ongoing.
Charges Laid Against TRYPS and Directors
TICO has also laid charges against The International Incorporated, operating as TRYPS, and two of its directors, Kareem Aly and Carl Karamaoun. Each faces one count of operating as a travel agent without being registered. Aly and Karamaoun are also charged with failing as Officers and Directors to prevent the company from committing an offence.
TICO alleges the company sold international leisure vacations. The accused are scheduled to appear in court on August 28, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. in Ottawa.
Legal Penalties and Enforcement
Under the Travel Industry Act, 2002, individuals convicted of such offences may face fines of up to $50,000 and/or prison terms of up to two years. Corporations may be fined up to $250,000.
TICO says it prosecutes unregistered travel sellers “to maintain a level playing field and the integrity of Ontario’s travel marketplace to ensure consumers are confident purchasing travel from registered professionals.”
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